North West Tourism supports Bray July Horse Racing

13 Jul 2016

Bray Horse Race as a potential tourism vehicle

The North West Department of Tourism in partnership with the Tourism Board, North West Gambling Board, Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality and other key stakeholders supports the Bray July Horse Racing which will take place in Bray over the coming weekend. This horse race, which was recommended to be included in the provincial calendar of events has been dubbed as the biggest bush horse race and has an enormous potential to attract tourists.

The annual event takes place every last week of June and has been growing from strength to strength since its inception two decades back. Having been consistent for almost 20 years the event has now been granted a temporary totalizator license and a special permission to hold a horse race meeting on the 16 July 2015 in terms of section 56 and 59 of the North West Gambling act of 2001 (Act No.2 of 2001).

Since its establishment, primarily Bray July has been about the traditional horse race with a natural turf of red sand soil of the Kalahari. The event has also been providing a short left experience for the tourism, outdoor life and camping fanatics with a life away from everything.

Touted by its organisers as the biggest horse bush race, Bray July doesn’t boast about fashion and glamour when compared to the popular and well established Vodacom Durban July which has now become a National event due to the support they receive from sponsors. The red Kalahari sand track is unique and horse owners from all over the country bring their top jockeys to compete in this race.

The MEC for Tourism in the North West Desbo Mohono, welcomed the support by other government entities and is calling for more support to make the event even more successful. This extravaganza affair is now being supported by people from Botswana, Kuruman, Ganyesa, Vryburg, Kimberley, Schweizer-reneke, Bloemhof, Taung, Jan Kemp Dorp and other neighboring villages and town.

Below are other elements which make this annual horse race one of its own kind: